Groundbreaking Monday For Affordable Senior Housing in El Cerrito

EL CERRITO, CA — A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at noon Monday for the new Hana Gardens Apartments, a four-story, 63-unit senior affordable housing development with 2,000 square feet of street-level commercial space suitable for a restaurant or retail use.

Construction began in late January with demolition of the Tradeway Furniture Store. Leasing is estimated to begin in summer 2018.

Hana Gardens includes 62 one-bedroom apartments and 1 two-bedroom manager’s unit. Fifty percent (50%) of the units will be fully accessible to people with disabilities. All dwelling units are designed to allow for access by persons in wheelchairs, including all kitchens and bathrooms. 23 units have been designated for households with income at or below 30% of the area median income (just under $22,000/year for a single person household), 8 units have been designated for household with incomes at or below 45% of the area median income (just under $33,000/year) and 31 units have been designated for households with income at or below 50% of area medium income (about $36,500/year).

The property was acquired by the City of El Cerrito’s former Redevelopment Agency for affordable housing in 2009 with the goal to develop the site adjacent to El Cerrito’s City Hall with high-quality affordable senior housing with social services and commercial uses on the ground floor. Hana Gardens is funded by a variety of funding sources, including the State Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities grant program, State Infill Infrastructure Grant program, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Wells Fargo Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, California Community Reinvestment Corporation, Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Community Development, and Housing Authority of Contra Costa County with support from the City of El Cerrito.

In addition to the residential units, the affordable housing community will include 2,000 square feet of street-level commercial space and a beautiful public plaza honoring the Japanese influence on the flower industry.

“Hana” is often translated from Japanese into English as “flower.” The public spaces were inspired by the single-story Contra Costa Florist building at 10848 San Pablo Avenue and the once-thriving Japanese American cut flower industry in the area. Eden Housing will renovate the single story stone-faced former Contra Costa Florist building in line with the building’s original design to the greatest extent practical, and it will house some of the development’s community areas for the Hana Gardens residents.

“This mixed-use development provides the opportunity to tell the important story of Japanese Internment by preserving the character of the Contra Costa Florist building, interpretive panels and a beautiful Japanese Heritage Plaza,” said El Cerrito Mayor Janet Abelson.

“Eden is excited to partner with the City of El Cerrito in building affordable apartment homes for low-income seniors. We commend the City for its leadership to help us meet the incredible demand for senior housing,” said Eden Housing President Linda Mandolini. “After many years of preparation and anticipation, we are thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking of Hana Gardens and look forward welcoming the residents to their new homes soon.”

To be placed on an interest list for Hana Gardens, please contact Eden Housing at (510) 582-1460.

About Eden Housing:

In its 49 years of service in California, non-profit Eden Housing has provided a home for more than 100,000 people. Hayward-based Eden Housing is the long-term owner-operator of its developments, and is committed to preserving and maintaining its buildings as community assets and supporting residents with a range of services. Since its founding in 1968, Eden Housing has developed, acquired, and/or managed more than 10,600 affordable homes in more than 165 properties. Eden provides professional property management and supportive resident services to more than 22,000 low-income Californians living in its portfolio of more than 8,900 apartment homes in more than 135 properties throughout California.

-Announcement and photo via City of El Cerrito